THE LOST WORLD
- The Fly and the Spider
"She's too young for me," Roxton said, with a devilish grin.
Malone gave him a shrug. "She is the matriarch of our little clan," he said, as he took a generous pull from the gourd in his hand – he squinted tight, twisting his head to one side.
Roxton reached out to take the container. "You'd better slow down," he said, claiming the gourd for himself. "One of us needs to remember the way back to the tree house." he matched Malone's swig – and added a measure.
"I don't think Marguerite is that young... How young could she be?"
"Two," Roxton answered.
"Two?" Malone took the bait.
"Yeah… Too damn YOUNG!" Roxton leaned back on to the grass, clearly amused with himself.
Malone settled back too, chuckling at the wordplay.
They had waited in the small clearing all morning, guarding the hot-air balloon. By mid afternoon, Roxton had gotten bored and decided to sample a few of the trade goods. Now, the two men sprawl in the grass, passing the gourd back and forth – the potent liquor clearly having its way.
"She does have a certain way about her," Malone said, watching close for Roxton's reaction.
"Oh, yes she does. I saw her once, at a fancy gathering in London. Every man in that room –stealing sidelong glances –pretentious asses seeking a trophy."
"You knew Marguerite? Before you came to the plateau?" Malone asked, surprised.
"She was trolling for bigger fish; I don't think a lowly Lord could have won her affections that night."
Malone sat up and took another small drink.
"That woman can be intoxicating… no doubt." Roxton languished in his memory. He sat up alongside Malone and reached for the gourd.
"So, what will happen, if we don't find a way off the plateau?"
"I was born for this, Ned; I could live out my days, right here on the Plateau."
"Can Marguerite?"
"I don't know… This is why I shouldn't drink." He snatched up the liquor and took a long pull. "If I'd of had the courage to ask her to dance that night in London, I would have never let her go."
Malone took the gourd and replaced the stopper.
"She's the kind of woman you settle down with, Malone; a woman that will match your every move – when I'm near Marguerite, I'm a better person."
Malone shook his head. "Which Marguerite? She's got more faces than a funhouse mirror."
" –Says the Journalist, hiding behind words, while the rest of us take chances."
"Be careful how high you build her pedestal, John."
Roxton crossed his arms. "In the story of the spider and the fly," he slurred, "have you ever imagined me the fly?"
Malone pulled absently at the grass. "Well… yeah, with Marguerite, everyone is the fly."
"Good point… I've always been the hunter; I haven't had much practice at being the prey." Roxton stood just as the women entered the clearing, loaded down with packs of trade goods from the Amazon village.
"You boys look a might flush," Veronica said, as she loaded her first bundle into the balloon.
Marguerite pointed out the gourd in Malone's hand. "I think I see the cause," she said, with a sinful smile.
"You were gone half the bloody day." Roxton took a few unsteady steps toward the balloon.
"Easy now." Marguerite's gentle touch steadied his tilt.
He balanced himself against her, his face just inches from hers. A raven spider crept along her shoulder, but Roxton had no eyes for the spider today... He only saw the woman guiding him to the balloon.
- END -